Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
रात्रिभिर्मासतुल्याभिर्गर्भस्रावे विशोधनं सपिण्दे ब्राह्मणे वर्णाः सर्व एवाविशेषतः
rātribhirmāsatulyābhirgarbhasrāve viśodhanaṃ sapiṇde brāhmaṇe varṇāḥ sarva evāviśeṣataḥ
En cas de fausse couche (garbha-srāva), la purification doit être observée pendant autant de nuits qu’il y eut de mois de gestation. Dans le cas d’un sapiṇḍa (proche parent de sang) et dans celui d’un brāhmaṇa, toutes les varṇa suivent la même règle, sans distinction.
Lord Agni (narrating dharma instructions to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determining the duration of āśauca (ritual impurity) and the required purification observances after miscarriage and after death/impurity connected with close kin or a Brāhmaṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Garbhasrāva-śauca and Sapiṇḍa/Brāhmaṇa āśauca parity","lookup_keywords":["garbhasrāva","āśauca","sapiṇḍa","śuddhi","varṇa-sāmānya"],"quick_summary":"After miscarriage, observe purification for as many nights as the months of gestation. For sapiṇḍa relations and for a Brāhmaṇa-related case, the rule applies uniformly to all varṇas."}
Concept: Śauca as a time-bound dharmic regulation; parity of rule across varṇas in specified cases.
Application: Apply the correct number of nights/days of āśauca to avoid ritual fault in household rites, śrāddha, and temple participation.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashaucha–Shuddhi / Prayashchitta and Purification Rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household observing post-event purification: a calendar-like counting of nights corresponding to gestational months; elders instructing family members on uniform śauca rules for sapiṇḍa and Brāhmaṇa-related cases.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, interior of a traditional Brahmin household, elders with palm-leaf manuscript indicating nights on a tally board, subdued colors, ritual vessels (kalaśa, kuśa), calm shanta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated dharma-ācārya with ornate halo, gold-leaf highlights on ritual vessels and rice bowl, family listening, symbolic moon phases marking nights of śauca.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau with labeled counts of nights (months of gestation), clean lines, soft shading, focus on didactic clarity and ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic courtyard scene with attendants counting days on a scroll, fine textiles, muted palette, emphasis on social order and documentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रात्रिभिः + मासतुल्याभिः → रात्रिभिर्मासतुल्याभिः; मास-तुल्याभिः (तत्पुरुष); गर्भ-स्रावे (तत्पुरुष); सर्वे + एव + अविशेषतः → सर्व एवाविशेषतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (Āśauca–Śuddhi/Prāyaścitta context); Agni Purana sections on śrāddha and purification rules (adjacent verses 157.16–18)
FAQs
It specifies the śuddhi (purification/impurity-observance) duration for miscarriage: the number of nights equals the number of months of gestation, and it states uniform applicability across varṇas in certain cases (sapiṇḍa and Brāhmaṇa).
Beyond mythology, it preserves Dharma-śāstra-style procedural rules on śauca/āśauca, kinship (sapiṇḍa) classifications, and standardized ritual conduct—illustrating the Purana’s coverage of social-legal and ritual governance.
Observing the prescribed purification period is presented as maintaining ritual order (śauca), preventing the carryover of impurity into worship and rites, and ensuring dharmic propriety in sensitive events like miscarriage and family bereavement.